Another Geller hoping to represent South Broward

Anthony ManSun Sentinel

A familiar name in South Florida political circles is preparing to seek the Democratic nomination next year for a Florida House seat that includes a chunk of southeast Broward.

“I’m very seriously considering running for the open seat in District 100 when it comes open,” Joe Geller said in a recent phone interview. “I have not made a final decision. But I’m very seriously considering it. I’ve talked to my family. I’ve talked to friends and advisers. I’m taking a very hard look at it.”

Geller, sounding an awful lot like someone who is about to run, said he’d make and announce a decision in the “near future.”

His younger brother, Steve, spent 20 years in the Florida Legislature in a career that culminated in a term as Senate Democratic leader from 2006 through 2008, when he had to leave office because of term limits.

It’s an open seat in a district currently represented by state Rep. Joe Gibbons, D-Hallandale Beach, who can’t run for re-election because of term limits. Gibbons is hoping to jump to the Broward County Commission seat being vacated by Sue Gunzburger, who also is term limited.

Geller won’t be able to waltz into the nomination, though. As an open seat, it’s attractive to many candidates.

So far, the only one to formally declare an attention to run is John Paul Alvarez of Hallandale Beach.

In a statement put out by the Florida Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender caucus, which Alvarez serves as communications director, he is described as an educator and union member.

“We have a high unemployment rate, a broken education system, and wonderful Jewish and Hispanic communities that deserve a stronger voice," Alvarez said. "We must invest in our small businesses in order to create jobs, however we must also invest in K-12 and higher education in order to secure the future of the middle class in House District 100."

Also considering running is Hallandale Beach Commissioner Alex Lewy.

And people in the political world have also mentioned former Hallandale Beach Commissioner Keith London as another possible candidate.

The district is 45.9 percent Democratic, 23.8 percent Republican and 30.3 percent independent/no party affiliation. So wining the Democratic primary is tantamount to winning the election. In 2012, Republicans didn’t bother to field a candidate.

About 50.6 percent of the Democratic registered voters live in Broward and 49.4 percent in Miami-Dade County. “It’s a little bit more Dade than Broward, but not overwhelmingly. Someone to be successful I think does need a base in both counties.”

Geller, 59, has political experience in Miami-Dade County, where he served two terms as mayor of North Bay Village from 2004 to 2008 and twice ran unsuccessfully for state House of Representatives. He was chairman of the Miami-Dade County Democratic Party for 12 years including the aftermath of the disputed George W. Bush-Al Gore presidential election in 2000.

He said he’s worked in Hallandale Beach, Hollywood and Dania Beach – all part of the 100th District – for most of the 30 year’s he’s been practicing law. “I know the South Broward area and know the people there.”

And he has name recognition from his brother’s long-time representation of the area.

Joe Geller said Steve Geller’s time in office is a plus. “I think he did a very good job as a legislator,” he said. “People think he did a good job when he was there.”

Why is Joe Geller considering running?

“My style is to be a consensus builder to build bridges between people. I’m a progressive. And I make no bones about being a progressive. But I have also lived in other parts of the state. I think I can do some good up there. I think I can make a difference. I think I can make this a better state.”

His last comment shows his careful political planning. “Progressive” is the term adopted by liberals since that label became politically problematic.